VIGNETTE > Volunteer Fire Department

New year’s Eve 1950

In 1940, Ove Johnson watched helplessly while his Homestead Valley home burned to the ground.  County fire fighters had responded to the call, but they were not authorized to fight structure fires. Ove was furious. After rebuilding his home, he bought an old Hudson truck. Five friends helped him refurbish it as a fire truck housed in Ove’s garage. In an emergency, Ove’s wife sounded the siren on top of their house.  The volunteer fire brigade rushed to the Johnson’s garage, started the fire truck and sped off to the fire. In 1950, they paid $100 for a small lot on top of Reed Creek. Dirt from excavating for the school expansion across the street was used as fill to cover a large culvert. They built a firehouse from donated lumber. A dance was held there on New Year’s Eve, 1950.  In 1962, paid firemen replaced volunteers. In 1980 when fire protection came from the Tamalpais Valley fire department, the firehouse was closed and rented as a residence. In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake damaged it severely, and it was demolished. In 1992, the lot was developed as Volunteer Park.

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